JJ's push to sell out SFA opener

[smupony94]

I wonder how many "Real Dolls" Ex18 will bring

[smupony94]

I just got this email

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Personal & Confidential - BELIEVE
Friday, July 31, 2009 2:49 PM
From:
"Jones, June" <[email protected]>
Add sender to Contacts
To:
"'kickassponyfandude'" <[email protected]>
Cc:
"Orsini, Steve" <[email protected]>, "'KKaplan1'" <[email protected]>

Personal & Confidential – Please Do Not Forward



Dear Thetan,



I am writing you today to share with you a very important effort that is crucial in building a winning SMU Football program. Even though we have made some progress recently, fan support over the last 20 years has been mediocre at best. I say this, not to criticize the past, but rather, to acknowledge a critical challenge in the kind of Football program we all wish to see.



You should know that the kids and coaches are working their hearts out to win and to make you proud. You should also know that I am more confident than ever that we will accomplish this.



Yes, winning football games does attract fans. We also know that a decided “home field advantage” can make a significant difference in winning. While we are doing all we can to win on the field, I must also do all I can to build the other parts of the Program.



I am committed to seeing our kids and coaches run through the tunnel of Gerald Ford Stadium to a “full house” of loyal and adoring fans. This will, without question, lift the spirits of these young men who represent the greatest University in the world…Southern Methodist University. It would also send a powerful message to future Mustangs as well as validate the positive progress we are making.



Over the last several months, Steve Orsini and I have been working diligently to develop a strategy to dramatically increase attendance. To assist us, we have brought in Kevin Kaplan, a sports marketing whiz, who has developed successful attendance campaigns at schools such as UNLV, Southern Miss, University of New Mexico, Tulane, and the University of Houston. I have worked with Kevin for years. I believe in him and his ability to get things done.



After numerous meetings, I am pleased to report that an aggressive and well thought out plan is now in place with the following goals…



1. Sell 2,500 new SEASON TICKETS prior to the opening game.
2. SELLOUT the 2009 home opening game (SMU vs. Stephen F. Austin) and have the largest attendance in Gerald Ford Stadium HISTORY.
3. Significantly increase STUDENT ATTENDANCE and PARTICPATION at home football games.

I am telling you today, that with your help, we can dramatically increase attendance, make HISTORY by having the largest attendance increase for NCAA Division I Football and help create a fan base that will last well into the future.



I realize that these ambitious goals may leave some to question whether we can do this, but we must believe. This is exactly what I tell our kids – to BELIEVE and, now I am asking you to BELIEVE as well.



Starting today, I am personally reaching out to an elite group associated with SMU like yourself to serve as a TEAM CAPTAIN for our Season Ticket Campaign. There will be just 25 Team Captains (and teams) in all. Each Captain will be asked to recruit up to three people (maximum of four) for their team. Through this special Committee, our goal is to sell 2,500 season tickets (100 tickets per team). Season Tickets start at just $72.



I am pleased to let you know that SMU Football Legends LOUIE KELCHER and JERRY LEVIAS have agreed to serve as Co-Chairmen for the Campaign.



The top five teams that sell the most season tickets will receive the following great prizes and recognition:



1st Place Louie Kelcher & Jerry LeVias Hawaiian Golf Experience

- Includes air fare, hotel accommodations (three nights) and participation in the June Jones Celebrity Golf Classic (June 20 & 21, 2010, Kona Hawai’i) for all members of your Team. Louie Kelcher and Jerry LeVias will also play on your Golf Team. The winning Team will also be honored at halftime of SFA (September 5) game and recognized on the SMU Athletic web site.



2nd Place Fly with the SMU Football Team to the Washington State Game

- Includes air fare on the SMU Football Team plane, hotel accommodations at the Football Team hotel and VIP tickets or Sideline Passes to the Washington State game (September 19, 2009) for each member of your Team. Team recognition on the SMU Athletic web site.



3rd Place Eric Dickerson Golf Experience

- Air fare, hotel accommodations (two nights/two rooms) and a foursome for your Team in Running Back Legends for Charity Golf Classic (Los Angeles, 2010), sponsored by the Eric Dickerson Foundation. Team recognition on the SMU Athletic web site.



4th Place Dinner & Golf with Coach June Jones

- A golf foursome and dinner for your Team following the 2009 Football Season. Team recognition on the SMU Athletic web site.



5th Place SMU Football Adidas Coaches Apparel Package

- Each member of your team will receive the same set of Adidas apparel that each SMU Football Coach receives. Team recognition on the SMU Athletic web site.



Thetan, I hate to ask, because you have done so much already for SMU, but I would really like you to be one of my Team Captains. I promise you that it will not take a lot of time, as this Campaign is only four weeks (August 5 – September 4).



I have scheduled a Team Captain Kickoff meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 p.m. at the SMU Stadium Club. There, Kevin, Steve and I will discuss details of the plan. Even if you cannot make meeting, I still want and need you on this team.



Thetan, I am committed to this effort and I BELIEVE we will get this done! I know what this would mean to the morale of our kids as well as the SMU nation. I also know what kind of message great fan support would send to the Dallas community, our Conference and all of you that have worked so hard for so many years.



We have a great strategy, a well thought out plan and an unwavering desire and belief – now, the last piece is to assemble this special team to make this happen. Will you join me in this effort?



Thank you for your consideration and thank you for all that you do and have done for SMU. I eagerly look forward to your reply. I BELIEVE. June

[SmooBoy]

Hey, not a bad strategy. Not sure putting Tulane on the marketing wiz's list was too smart.

[Stallion]

Are you:

1) kickassponyfandude; or
2) kingofallthewhaletails

[SMU 86]

Good idea by Coach Jones. Also for the record, I don't think "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan could beat the Undertaker.

[SoCal_Pony]

I hope we do sell out, but with us it is simply about numbers. We simply do not have the student or alumni numbers others have.

Exactly.

UT and A&M both have 6* the student body we do.

They average 75k per home game, we average 13k.

Do the math.

This is not simply about winning and losing.

[Stallion]

when Bob Hitch came in-he got rid of the free-bees. Since SMU and the Pony Express had become a national power he wanted full-price. SMU did average much higher than 30,000 in the Potts/Thomas days but a good percentage were tickets purchased by sponsors and given away free. TCU is an excellent comparion-they have averaged between 30,000-40,000 during this decade. With a nice on campus facility SMU's goal should still be to fill Ford for every game which I think is not impossible with a consistently strong program. That's some years away and quite frankly will require better atletes.

[Dooby]

There is no reason we can't sell out every game every year, but like you said, that is years away. Contrary to what some froggies say, it wasn't always that way at TCU and it didn't happen overnight.

[MrMustang1965]

Will the last person leaving Nacogdoches (population, 29,914. 2000 census) for the SMU v SFA game in Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 please turn out the lights???!!!

[smupony94]

Are you:

1) kickassponyfandude; or
2) kingofallthewhaletails

Number 2

[tristatecoog]

To assist us, we have brought in Kevin Kaplan, a sports marketing whiz, who has developed successful attendance campaigns at schools such as UNLV, Southern Miss, University of New Mexico, Tulane, and the University of Houston.

I wonder what Kevin's done with UH. We have a three game mini-season ticket plan this year and have some nice online seating charts with more vigilence on being Cougar Pride members for good seats. Maybe he's behind that. The three game plan was well executed, and it appears that no single game tickets will be available for the TX Tech game. SMU should institute that as well when the Red Raiders return to town. Those tickets are also $50 apiece, which is high for SMU/UH but is at or below the going rate for TX Tech tickets in other competitive venues.

[expony18]

I wonder how many "Real Dolls" Ex18 will bring

i only mess with dimes... i sent thad a picture the other day. unfortunately he was unable to meet me out on the town for drinks

[RGV Pony]

I wonder how many "Real Dolls" Ex18 will bring

i only mess with dimes... i sent thad a picture the other day. unfortunately he was unable to meet me out on the town for drinks

you shouldve come out Monday. Or was it Tuesday. Long night for that Thadman. But it was...'mega' fun

[George S. Patton]

I get the whole preseason talk. It's all part of it to get people fired up. That's Jones' job. He has to be a salesman and promote. I'd be disappointed if he didn't.

That stuff may appeal to some folks but it doesn't to me. I'm to the point where the only thing that I'm interested in is if we're winning and if we're competing for a CUSA championship.

The only time I'm really going to start to tune in to what Jones has to say is after the game against SFA and after the game at UAB and after the game at Washington State....etc. That's when you cut through the BS and find what your coach is all about.

And if we're doing pretty well, then those comments should be pretty good to listen to.

Since somebody is paying this guy $2 million a year, this better be the year where stark progress is made.

[2112]

hey gomer...cuttin' through tha BS...as you said...you better be listening to tha postgame radio..as you leave the game...and i'm talkin' bout tha smu game gomer...if not..then shut yo face..